Perceived outcomes of periacetabular osteotomy

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Digital Health
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Social media is increasingly used by patients for medical information and experience sharing.
• Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a standard treatment for acetabular dysplasia, but patient-perceived outcomes on social media are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze perceived outcomes of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) on social media platforms.
• To describe patient experiences and satisfaction levels following PAO surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective collection of posts from Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) using relevant keywords and hashtags.
• Analysis of posts for demographic data, perspective (patient, physician, etc.), timing (pre- vs. postoperative), and perceived outcome (positive, negative, neutral).

Main Results:

• Over 1,000 posts from 887 unique authors were analyzed, with the majority from postoperative patients.
• 52.8% of patients reported satisfaction, 39.7% neutral opinions, and 7.5% dissatisfaction, primarily due to postoperative pain.
• Social media posts from healthcare professionals and organizations generally showed neutral sentiment.

Conclusions:

• Perceived surgical outcomes of PAO on social media are predominantly positive.
• Postoperative pain is a key factor in patient dissatisfaction following PAO.
• Healthcare providers should monitor social media to understand patient expectations and enhance patient-centered care.